Page 58 of Wellspring
And yeah, he hoped he and Erick wouldn’t be in the bunkhouse forever, but he had arrangements to make before that could happen, and he couldn’t get started on those until they could return to Wellspring and he was sure Erick was back on his feet.
“If Mrs.Roarke is indeed hiring, especially with a new marshal in town and the threat posed by Reichardt lifted, I suspect she’ll find it easier to sign people on than she has in the past,” Lizzie said.“I’ll put the word out as soon as she gives me the go-ahead.”
“We’ll bring it up when we get back, if Payne doesn’t say something before then.”Payne seldom came into town, not wanting to draw any more attention to his unorthodox role as Wellspring foreman, but this might be enough to draw him out.
Chapter Thirty-One
“THERE.”DR.Lillard removed the last of the stitches from Erick’s chest.“I’m afraid you’ll always have some hellacious scars, but I’ll give you some cream to rub into them to keep the skin from tightening up.”
Erick flexed his arms and smiled.There was some pull, but much less now that the stitches were removed, and he could exercise to get his range of motion back.“Thank you, Doctor, for all your care, though I hope you will forgive me for saying I wish to never experience it again.”
“Just don’t try to do too much too fast,” Lillard warned as Erick pulled on the shirt Lizzie had insisted on giving him to replace the one ruined when he was shot.“I don’t want to see you back here any more than you do.And that means no riding for at least another month.”
Erick didn’t meet Cade’s gaze, determined not to betray the thoughts running through his head at just what kind of riding he would like to do.Knowing Cade, it would be weeks before he would be allowed such liberties again.His lover was even more of a worrier than the doctor.Today, though, he would only be sitting in the buckboard as Javier drove it back to Wellspring with the week’s supplies from the mercantile, and even then, he expected to be coddled within an inch of his life.“I will be careful.”
“Tim O’Neill made this to help you with your breathing exercises.”Dr.Lillard held up a glass jar with a tube and mouthpiece attached.“He calls it a spirometer.The jar has a feather inside.Inhale as deeply as possible, then blow into the mouthpiece and keep the feather in the air as long as you can.”
It was harder than it sounded to keep the feather floating for more than a few seconds, and Erick was gasping for breath after his first attempt, his mending ribs aching.“I want you to use it at least four times a day, ten breaths each time,” Dr.Lillard instructed.“The more you use it, the sooner your lung will expand and strengthen.”
Erick wasn’t looking forward to the discomfort, but he’d endure it to regain the stamina he’d lost.
Cade hovered at his elbow as he walked outside to the boardwalk.“Cade, I’m fine,” he murmured.
“But you weren’t,” Cade replied just as softly.
“No, but I’m getting better every day,” Erick reminded him.
“And you should continue to do so,” Dr.Lillard confirmed.“Just listen to your body.When you’re tired, rest.Add new activities gradually.And keep doing your breathing exercises.I’d like to check up on you in a few months, just to be sure everything is still going well.”
“We’ll see you the next time we come into town,” Erick promised, all but dragging Cade away from the surgery.“Come on, we need to pick up the horses.”Even if he wasn’t able to ride yet, he was looking forward to seeing Zephyr again.
After confirming that Erick was well enough to return to Wellspring, Javier had dropped Michele off at the stables before continuing to pick up the week’s supply order from the mercantile.The walk from Dr.Lillard’s office wasn’t far, but Erick didn’t have a chance to get out of breath.Every few steps, it seemed, someone stopped him to congratulate him on his recovery or wish him well.
Jock Murphy and Michele were waiting outside the stables when they arrived.Nahnia was saddled for Michele to ride on the way back to Wellspring, but Erick didn’t trust anyone else but Cade to handle Zephyr.The big stallion snorted and tossed his head as Erick approached.Cade had to catch his halter before he could butt Erick in the chest.
“Easy, my friend.”Erick stroked Zephyr’s silky nose.“Today I cannot ride you the way we are accustomed to doing, but we will go for a long run again before too long, I promise.”He cut Cade off before he could say it.“Not for at least a month, I know.But for today, you must let us tie you to the wagon so we can go home to Wellspring.You will do that, will you not?”
He’d offered to let Cade ride Zephyr as he had often enough on the journey from Galveston, but Cade had insisted on riding in the buckboard with him.Erick could only hope Cade would have less time to coddle him once they returned to the ranch.
Zephyr snorted, but the sound of Erick’s voice was enough to calm him and when Javier arrived with the supplies, Erick was able to tie his lead rope to the side of the buckboard, far enough away from the draft horses that he wouldn’t bother them even if he decided to act up on the way home.And if it got bad enough, Erick or Cade could reach the rope from the back of the wagon and release the tie, setting the horse free.Michele would have to chase him on Nahnia if they did that, but it would be better than watching him injure himself.
Once they got Zephyr situated, Cade climbed into the wagon and settled himself in a nest of blankets and pillows, then gestured for Erick to join him.“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Erick muttered when he saw it.
“The road is rough,” Javier said.“This will provide some protection.”
“Let us make you as comfortable as we can, Erick,” Michele added.“The other choice is another week or more as Doc Lillard’s guest before you get to come home.”
“Yeah, get these two out of my barn, especially the big one,” Jock said with a grin.“Let him eat Wellspring’s oats, not mine.Though the next time I see him, I expect you to be riding him again.”
“You can be sure of it.”Erick clambered into the back of the wagon, smiling at Javier but ignoring his offered hand.When he tried to settle beside Cade, strong arms drew him into an embrace, his back to Cade’s chest before he could voice a protest.
“Just let me enjoy holding you,” Cade murmured into his ear.“I haven’t had my arms around you for weeks.”
Erick could admit—to himself at least—that it felt good to be held as the wagon rolled out of the barn and along the rutted street.Cade’s body and the blankets and pillows provided some cushion against the jolts of the road, making the ride less agony than it would otherwise have been, but nothing could make it comfortable.Worse, inhaling the dust raised by the wagon wheels on the arid trail aggravated his throat and caused racking coughs.Cade’s suggestion to tie his kerchief over his nose and mouth did little to make breathing any easier.Erick gritted his teeth and dug his fingers into his thighs and reminded himself that his own bed awaited him at the other end of the journey.
Less than an hour into the trip, Cade called out to Javier.“Erick needs a break.Just for a few minutes.”
“I’m fine,” Erick tried to say, but Cade hushed him.
